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If you hang around outdoor cooking circles long enough you’ll begin to pick up on commonly used jargon. For example a “cooker” is a grill, smoker, or what-have you that folks use outdoors. You understand the reference in context of the conversation. Food that’s routinely prepared outdoors also has common names. For example a bacon-wrapped meatloaf stuffed with whole eggs, peppers, etc. is often called a “Fatty.” (I think it’s because of what it looks like and what it does to those who eat it.) And a beef meatball wrapped in bacon and slow roasted on a smoker is called a “Moink” ball – derived from the humorous combination of “moo” & “oink.” And my newly named creation “Luck Balls” are ground lamb and duck formed into a meatball.

“Luck Balls” Are Ground Lamb and Duck

Recently I was supplied a pound of ground duck by Maple Leaf Farms as part of a promotion … Frankly I had no idea what to do with it. Tacos? Egg Rolls? It was sitting there in the fridge when I reached in to get a pound of American Lamb that I had planned to make one of my favorites for dinner – Lamb Burger. Huh…I wonder?

You guessed it – I combined the ground lamb and duck with the other ingredients to and form meatballs. I love meatballs in pasta or sandwiches and especially love them as tasty snacks whilst watching the football game. (We don’t tailgate no more no more – we “sofa-gate.”) SWMBO asked me what I was making that smelled so good. Because I’m so amazingly quick witted I quipped: “I’m making “Luck Balls.” She loves football more than I and the game was starting so she let it pass. OK – she ignored me. That’s what happens when I say something I find terrifically amusing and she finds, well – let’s just say she is usually not as amused as I am.

Lamb and Duck combined and formed into meatballs…

Roasted and ready to enjoy! Mustard anyone?

I prepared the Luck Balls with seasonings and some leftover brown rice as the filler, along with 2 eggs. I also added about a tablespoon ofEl Diablo Smokehouse Mustard for added depth. Then I served the meatballs with El Diablo Mango Mustard for the bright flavor and zing!

Luck Balls Are Meatballs of Lamb and Duck

Notes:
“Luck Balls” made from ground lamb and duck make a delicious meatball for tailgating snacks.
Ingredients
Meat mixture is best done with your hands, I like to wear food-safe latex gloves for a bit less mess
Leftover Brown Rice or slightly stale cornbread works best.
#ad Disclosure: The products mentioned in this recipe and corresponding blog post were provided free and/or a fee has been paid to feature them. Maple Leaf Farms & El Diablo Mustard.

1 lb American Lamb

1 lb Maple Leaf Farms ground duck

2 eggs

2 Tbsp grated carrot

2 Tbsp grated onion

2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tbsp El Diablo Mustard

1 tsp dry sage

1 tsp dry thyme

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp smoked paprika

1-1/2 tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

1 cup "filler" like cooked brown rice or crumbled cornbread

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375° F

Lightly grease 2 sheet pans and set aside

In a large bowl beat eggs with Worcestershire, onion, carrot, cornbread and spices until well combined

Add meat and mix just until egg mixture is well incorporated (mixing too long can make meat tough)